Distinguishing features of the EIA/SEA system

EIA as introduced in Georgia through the Law of Georgia on the Protection of the Environment (1996). Specific EIA laws followed and in 2002 and 2003 detailed EIA regulations were issued. After 2003, the EIA regulations have been changed considerably with the aim of simplifying permitting procedures. The legislation does not require Screening and Scoping as formal steps of the EIA process. EIA review is further embedded in the process of State Ecological Expertise. Ministry of Environmental Protection of Georgia is the central authority on EIA.

None of the laws currently in force in Georgia contain any provision on SEA. However, requirement on carrying out EIA for plans and programs (what represents SEA in reality) stipulated by the Law on Environmental Permits can be considered as an attempt to introduce the principles of SEA. The Georgian Government signed the Kiev Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to Espoo Convention in May 2003. It is planning to take steps to ratify the Protocol, which envisages the binding requirement on SEA to all Parties at the very early stage of planning. The MoE is currently drafting a new law on the environment.

Administrative system: relevant features

Georgia has 9 administrative regions (Mkharebi), 1 city (k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics. The regions include: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli. The city is Tbilisi whsi is also the capital. The two autonomous republics are: Adjara and Abchazia.

The Ministry of Environment Protection (MoE) is responsible for environmental management at national level. It has 9 departments: Department of Internal Audit, Legal Department, Service of Permits, Administrative Department, Service of Biodiversity Protection, Department of Environmental Policy and International Relations, Executive Personnel of Minister, Service of Public Relations, Department of Integrated Environmental Management.

There are 6 Regional Divisions of Environment Protection of Georgia under the Ministry of Environmental Protection: East Central, West Central, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Samegrelo - Zemo Svane.

Environmental Standards: relevant features

Country specific terms or acronyms

Disclaimer country profiles

The information provided here gives a generic overview of a countries EIA and/or SEA system. It cannot be taken as legal advice nor should it subtitute case specific counsel by the relevant country authorities. Although efforts are made to give up-to-date information, there may have been changes in the EIA or SEA systems of a country since the latest update.